By Zoe Luke
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes began in 1993 with the intent of giving to as many children as they could around the world a gift for Christmas. This year the Operation Christmas Shoe Box exceeded their goal and saw significant growth. The process of how the gifts make it to the hands of the children is all done by volunteers.
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox increased by 25% this year. Vicki Lukehart, a passionate volunteer said “The show boxes have been going around the world since 1993 and have grown quickly. They often go into places missionaries can’t go. Each shoe box the gospel is sent. It’s not about religion. It’s about the pure word that Jesus loves them.” There have been so many lives changed with these boxes being delivered to the children. Some of these boxes make it to children who are in orphanages. When they receive a gift that is just for them These gifts make connections regardless of the current situation.
The drop off center in Weiser is the Weiser Community Church. This location receives boxes from Payette and Adams country. This is a small hub, there are hubs all over the Southeast Idaho region. All of them go to the central drop off center in Ontario. From there they are out into semi trucks. This year a little over 9,100 shoe boxes made it into the trucks. From there they travel Orange County to the processing center where they’re inspected. Due to customs in most countries, there are specific things not allowed like camo patterned items, little army men toys, liquid in toys, and toothpaste. From there they finally make their way to the ships, planes, trains they can get it out to the kids.
The ports all over the world have been slower than normal this year. Prayers are asked for the ports to be opened.
